Sermons

Faith More Than…

Faith and the measure of our faith. Facing difficult situations in life and how you handle them.

Revealing our Faith

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.– Romans 12:2 (NIV)

We naturally and usually try to defend ourselves when we face difficult times, or we think we have to defend ourselves. So in a way we are putting God in the passenger seat while we try to take control. But we need to remember that God is our true defender and we need to let him steer.

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.– Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)

Three Men in the Fiery Furnace

SummarisationIt’s around 605 B.C. and Judah was captured by the Babylonians lead by King Nebuchadnezzar. Thousands of Jews were pulled out of Judah and put into exile (Daniel was one of them). Nebuchadnezzar then took the brightest, smartest, the most physically fit captives, and put them into training to learn the language and ways of the Babylonians. Then after 3 years had past they would serve positions in the government for King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel with his three friends were promoted high into the government due to Daniels gift of interpreting dreams. King Nebuchadnezzar had a statue made of gold 90 feet tall by 9 feet wide and commanded everyone in the land to fall down to worship this image at the sound of certain musical instruments. Those whom did not comply were thrown into a fiery furnace at once.

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.” 13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” 25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.– Daniel 3:8-30 (NIV)

They were willing to face any consequence that was put before them and would serve only the one true God.

Things to Remember:

Have faith, trust in God in every situation.

Faith is the reliance, loyalty, complete trust in God.

Wear your blue robe and represent God.

7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.– Nahum 1:7 (NIV)

All I know of tomorrow, is that providence (God) will rise before the sun.– Jean Baptiste Henry Lacordaire (1823)